Red Wings cut down Sabres in shootout
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Gustav Nyquist and Thomas Vanek scored in the shootout to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.
Vanek scored the game-winner in the third round of the shootout, burying a hard shot into the top corner of the net.
Nyquist also scored in regulation for Detroit (9-10-1). Jimmy Howard made 32 saves.
Brian Gionta scored in regulation for Buffalo (7-8-5). Robin Lehner made 23 saves.
Each team had several quality chances to end it in overtime but were contained by standout goaltending. Lehner stopped a partial breakaway by Detroit right winger Anthony Mantha 14 seconds into the extra session, while Howard extended his pads to thwart Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen on three quick chances four minutes in overtime.
Nyquist opened the scoring with four minutes remaining in the second period following a terrific setup by Vanek, a former Sabre. Vanek spun around his nearest defender before finding Nyquist in the right circle and Nyquist buried a quick one-timer for his fourth goal of the season.
With the assist, Vanek has nine points (four goals, five assists) in nine games this season. The 32-year-old spent just over eight seasons with the Sabres and is 10th in franchise history with 497 points.
Gionta evened the score 1:42 into the third because of a fortunate bounce off of his skate. Sabres left winger Evander Kane drove hard to the net and his initial shot was stopped by Howard, but the rebound ricocheted off Gionta's skate and into the net for the captain's fourth goal of the season.
The Red Wings challenged the goal, but officials did not overturn it.
Buffalo had a furious flurry with just over three minutes remaining in regulation but did not receive a fortunate bounce this time around. After left winger Matt Moulson's shot struck the outside of the post, his second attempt deflected off Detroit center Riley Sheahan and was heading into the net before being swept away at the last second by Sheahan.
Howard was terrific throughout for the Red Wings and kept it scoreless early with two big saves in the first period. Howard snuffed out a chance by Sabres left winger Marcus Foligno early from close range and then again with a glove stop on center Johan Larsson midway through the period.
NOTES: D Dmitry Kulikov (lower back), D Zach Bogosian (knee sprain) and LW Cole Schneider were scratched for the Sabres. ... Sabres C Jack Eichel participated in Buffalo's morning skate for the first time this season. Eichel has yet to play this season after suffering a high ankle sprain just before the start of the year and is inching closer to a return. ... LW Drew Miller, D Alexey Marchenko and D Xavier Ouellet were scratched for the Red Wings. ... This was the first of four meetings between the teams this season. Their next meeting takes place Dec. 27 in Detroit.